Chelsea have reportedly joined the chase for the in-demand Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote who is also wanted by Manchester United and Tottenham.

According to footie-online.co.uk, Chelsea have stolen a march over their Premier League rivals as they look to sign the highly-rated 25-year-old.

The Ivory Coast international, who plays as a defensive midfielder, joined Newcastle in the summer of 2010 for a meager £3.5 million. Since then he has put in a string of impressive performances, making him an integral part of the Newcastle team, and potential buyers will have to offer far more than what the Geordies purchased him for.

Newcastle have insisted that the player is not for sale but, as was proven when they sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool, any decently big offer can change club owner Mike Ashley's mind.

In fact, Ashley will be only too happy if all of Chelsea, Man United and Tottenham enter a bidding war for the player.